Successfully protecting your rights is our mission.
All the resources of our legal training and trial experience are channeled into the trusted counsel and aggressive action we provide on your behalf. We are committed to realizing the maximum benefit for our clients, as quickly as possible. For examples of Fried & Bonder's significant experience, please review just a few of our notable cases.
Fried & Bonder Defeats Class Action Lawsuit
Fried & Bonder successfully defeated a class action brought against its client, a Georgia publicly traded credit card and check processor, in the U.S. District Court for Texas. The class alleged that the Client charged unreasonable fees on checks returned for insufficient funds. Under the laws of several states, such charges are restricted to a "reasonable fee." Fried & Bonder twice moved to dismiss the class and opposed class certification. In a detailed ruling, the District Court dismissed the action with prejudice, which is extraordinary relief for a class claim at this stage.
Personal Injury Litigation
$5.5 million Medical Malpractice Verdict Wert v. Weiser, et al.,No. 99VS15524D (Fulton County, Georgia State Court, September 26, 2002). The firm successfully represented the Plaintiffs, Shawn and Michael Wert, in this medical malpractice case. Defendants made no offer of settlement prior to trial. The firm's client, Mrs. Wert, suffered loss of vision in her right eye as the result of the failure to properly monitor her blood following a surgical procedure on her abdomen. The firm also asserted a loss of companionship claim on behalf of Mr. Wert. Following a two week trial, the jury returned a verdict in the amount of $5,500,000.00.
$4,500,000.00 Judgment. Fried & Bonder obtained a 4.5 million dollar judgment on behalf of its client who was injured while a passenger in a company owned truck. Because he was not an employee of the company, the Defendant argued he was not allowed to be in the truck and denied liability. The client suffered severe and disabling broken bones in both hips and both legs, two broken vertebrae and a broken knee. Fried & Bonder overcame the legal defenses and, at a bench trial before a Fulton County Superior Court judge, presented a complete package of damages for past and future medicals bills, wages, loss of enjoyment, pain and suffering, past, present and future to achieve the judgment.
$625,000.00 Settlement in Scaffolding Failure Case. Fried & Bonder's client suffered a severe fracture and collapsed lung when indoor scaffolding, rented from defendant, collapsed. Fried & Bonder filed suit and the rental company denied liability and argued that Plaintiff should not have been on the scaffolding due to his age, and should have known the scaffolding was not secure as assembled. Fried & Bonder's aggressive pursuit of our client's rights resulted in a $625,000.00 confidential settlement.
$463,500.00 Settlement for Botched Sinus Surgery Fried & Bonder’s client suffered permanent damage to his eye while undergoing a routine sinus operation. The case was vigorously defended for close to two years. On the eve of trial, Fried & Bonder secured a favorable settlement for their client.
$325,000.00 Recovered for Fried & Bonder Clients in Heavily Disputed Bus Collision. Plaintiffs suffered a broken leg, facial lacerations, and head contusions. The bus company denied liability, claimed the collision to be Plaintiffs' fault, and disputed the extent of the damages. Despite numerous motions by Defendant seeking dismissal of the case and certain parties, Fried & Bonder prevailed at every turn and obtained a pre-trial settlement for $325,000.00.
$300,000.00 Pre-Litigation Settlement of Drunk Driving Claim. A drunk driver on vacation in Hilton Head, S.C. t-boned Fried & Bonder's client, breaking his hip. The at-fault driver later disappeared and could not be located. Fried & Bonder demanded the policy limits of our client's own uninsured / underinsured motorist policy. We settled the case before filing suit for the policy limits of $300,000.00.
$290,000.00 Pre-Litigation Settlement for Herpes Infection. Fried & Bonder’s client contracted Herpes Simplex Type II virus (HSV-2) from her ex-boyfriend. The ex-boyfriend failed to disclose to the client that he was infected with the herpes virus. He knowingly exposed her to the disease, which she ultimately contracted. Fried & Bonder assisted the client in negotiating a favorable pre-litigation settlement of the claim.
"Black Box" Data Yields $250,000.00 Settlement for Fried & Bonder's Client in Disputed Car Wreck Case. Fried & Bonder’s client badly injured his neck in a collision with another vehicle at a four-way stop. Our client claimed that the other driver caused the wreck by running a stop sign. The other driver denied claimed that it was our client who ran the stop sign. Fried & Bonder tracked down the defendant's car, which had been sold for scrap, and downloaded crash data from the its "electronic data recorder" or "black box." The data proved that the defendant driver was going nearly 40 mph when the wreck occurred. When presented with his data, the defendant settled the case for $250,000.00. The case was Howard v. Berman, No. 2009-EV-006775-F (State Court of Fulton County).
$150,000.00 Settlement in Bed Bugs Case. Fried & Bonder successfully represented Plaintiff against a well known Hotel Chain after she suffered a serious allergic reaction to bed bug bites. Plaintiff stayed at the hotel in Philadelphia, PA one night while attending a conference. When she awoke, she had approximately 30-50 small red bites on her face, neck, arms and stomach. She complained to management and checked out of the hotel. Management later admitted the room was infested with bed bugs. Fried & Bonder's investigation revealed that the hotel had prior similar complaints and had failed to take appropriate action to rid the hotel of the infestation. The case settled for $150,000.00.
$125,000.00 Settlement of Negligence Claim Against Shipping Company. Fried & Bonder successfully represented Plaintiff in a personal injury action against a major Shipping Company. The Shipping Company's truck side-swiped Plaintiff, causing Plaintiff to develop facet joint syndrome. However, the collision caused only $2,000 worth of damage to Plaintiff's vehicle. Fried & Bonder overcame the minimal property damage issue and obtained a $125,000.00 settlement for our client.
Confidential Settlement of Medical Malpractice Case. Mrs. Stephens suffered a stillbirth as the result of her physicians' failure to diagnosis and properly treat pre-eclampsia. The case settled for a confidential amount. The case was Stephens v. Wellstar, No. 2000A3495-5 (State Ct. of Cobb County).
Business Litigation
$12 Million Settlement for Minority Shareholder in Breach of Contract Case. The firm successfully represented a minority shareholder in a large privately held corporation. The Chief Executive Officer of the corporation agreed to repurchase the shares and then breached that agreement. The firm obtained over $12 million for the minority shareholder.
Conman Tagged for $2.2 million. The firm successfully represented an attorney in a case about a bizarre and long term fraudulent scheme. The client/lawyer worked at one of Atlanta's largest firms and while there represented a well known regional property developer. The client was lured away from his law firm job to become in-house counsel at the developer. Once in-house, however, the lawyer learned that the developer was actually a con artist bilking banks and investors of millions of dollars. Fried & Bonder pursued fraud and other claims on behalf of the lawyer and obtained a $2.2 million dollar judgment.
$1.4 Million Dollar Judgment on Hotel Related Guaranty. The firm successfully represented a hotel company against a developer who breached a license agreement. The developer challenged liability, damages calculations, and the terms of his personal guaranty. Despite numerous instances of perjury by the developer, the firm obtained a $1.4 million dollar judgment, which was upheld on appeal. Collection efforts continue in Houston, with subpoenas served throughout the U.S. The firm anticipates full recovery.
Firm Obtains $2 Million Settlement for Consultant Stiffed by Clothes Manufacturer. The firm successfully represented a consultant to a popular clothes manufacturer. The manufacturer hired the consultant at a time that its shares were trading for under $1 per share and used shares as payment. The value of the shares promised at the time of the contract was approximately $100,000. Shortly thereafter the share value skyrocketed to over $23 per share and the clothes manufacturer refused to give the promised shares. Just days before trial, the case settled for over $2 million.
Alleged Fraud in Business Sale Results in $3.25 Million Settlement. The firm successfully represented the founders of a medical office practice management business who sold their business to Defendant in exchange for stock in the defendant company. Shortly after the sale, and before Plaintiffs could sell their shares, Defendant's stock price plummeted. The firm alleged, among other things, that Defendants made misleading statements during the negotiations and in the sale documents. On the eve of a jury trial the case settled for $3,250,000.00.
Opposing Party's $750,000 Demand Resolved For Nominal Amount. The firm obtained a very favorable result for a large international textile manufacture. The dispute with its international sales representative involved substantial questions of international law, a parallel civil action in Korea, and a concurrent appeal pending in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Through the use of interpreters, multiple mediations, and a very aggressive and active motions practice, this case was resolved for a small fraction of the demand.
$700,000.00 Settlement. Fried & Bonder represented an Atlanta business in a dispute against a Canadian licensor. The licensor filed suit against our client claiming breach of contract. On behalf of our client, we filed counter claims alleging breach of contract and trademark infringement. After a contentious few months of litigation, we prevailed. They agreed to pay our client $700,000.00 to resolve its claims.
$300,000.00 Judgment. Mackley v. FourSpots, Inc., United Stated District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Case No.: 1:10-CV-01063. Fried & Bonder represented Mr. Mackley in his contract claim against his former employer Four Spots. Mackley was forced to resign his position after his former employer refused to recognize his ownership in the company and failed to pay him his salary. At a bench trial, Fried & Bonder won the case and was awarded $300,486.79 in damages on behalf of Mr. Mackley.
RICO case settles for $150,000, three times the actual damages. The firm represented mountain cabin owners in a small, but complex RICO action against the management company hired to maintain and rent the cabins. Through a pattern of fraud and theft, the management company deprived each cabin owner of rent and was paid for work never performed to maintain the cabins. Despite the damages to each cabin owner being rather low, Fried & Bonder lawyers were able to group all claims, bring a Georgia RICO action and recover three times the actual damages.
$100,000.00 Judgment. Pearson et.al. v. Junior Academies, Inc., Superior Court of Gwinnett County, GA, Civil Action No. 09-A-03431-4. Fried & Bonder successfully represented a group of six teachers who were recruited by Defendant to teach at their school. For three months, the teachers were not paid their salaries. Fried & Bonder obtained a judgment in the amount of $100,000.00 on behalf of the unpaid teachers.
Election Fraud Averted in Mulji v. AAHOA (Superior Court of Fulton County). The firm successfully represented over 100 members of an international hotel owner's association for election irregularities. The Directors sought to remain in office by canceling elections. This case was handled on an emergency basis, covered by local newspapers as well as nationally in hospitality related periodicals. The final hearing was before a courtroom so full that there was standing room only with many interested parties forced to wait outside. The firm was successful in forcing the elections to proceed.
FB Obtains Confidential Settlement for Local Entrepreneurs. Our clients are software developers who developed an innovative medical product and sold their business to a Fortune 100 company. After taking possession of the product and selling it, but prior to making the promised final payments, the Fortune 100 company terminated the agreement and refused to pay our clients. Fried & Bonder lawyers rapidly filed suit in California to enforce the agreement. The Fortune 100 company alleged a lengthy counterclaim designed to delay resolution of the case and discourage our clients. Despite facing two of the country’s most well respected large law firms, Fried & Bonder filed a series of aggressive motions, including service of a Rule 11 motion for sanctions. Although the details are confidential, Fried & Bonder was able to settle the case on terms very favorable to our clients.
Employment Litigation
$299,000.00 Settlement for Disability Discrimination Victim. The firm successfully represented Plaintiff in a failure to accommodate case under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Plaintiff was on short term disability. She needed a short amount of additional leave after her short term disability expired. Plaintiff informed her employer that she was ready and able to return to work approximately six weeks after her short term disability expired. She was directed to apply for long term disability to cover the gap. Upon qualifying for long term disability, she was administratively discharged pursuant to the Company's long term disability policy. We argued that the 6 weeks additional leave was a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. Despite bad law in the Circuit, the lawyers at Fried & Bonder were able to collect $299,000.00 for the Plaintiff.
$154,000.00 Judgment in Commission Dispute. Fried & Bonder represented the Plaintiff in a commission dispute against a commercial real estate company. Defendant disputed the amount of commission it owed Fried & Bonder's client and refused to pay him. After defeating multiple motions to dismiss the case, Fried & Bonder prevailed at trial for their client. A federal court awarded Fried & Bonder's client his full claim for commissions, plus interest and costs of the action.
$150,000.00 Settlement for Victim of Race Discrimination. The firm successfully represented Plaintiff, a black female, who was terminated from her position before elevation to management status. The company elevated a less qualified white male instead of Plaintiff. Unfortunately, the Plaintiff did not seek counsel until long after her Title VII statute of limitations had expired. We filed suit under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act and alleged that our client was discriminated against because of her race. The Corporation defended the allegations by showing that the individual elevated instead of Plaintiff was a close relative of the CEO, and that nepotism was not discriminatory. The Corporation also pointed out that Plaintiff had secured substantially similar employment following her termination so that she could not prove any damages. Despite these defenses, Fried & Bonder was able to secure a settlement for the client of $150,000.00.
$140,000.00 Settlement of Race Discrimination and Retaliation Lawsuit. Fried & Bonder represented an African American salesman against his former employer. The employee suffered intense daily racial harassment from the time he began working for the employer. After complaining about the harassment, our client was fired. Fried & Bonder intervened in the EEOC suit to collect damages on behalf of their client. After Fried & Bonder filed suit and aggressively pursued our client's interests, the case settled at mediation for $140,000.00.
$130,000.00 Settlement for White Supervisor Fired For Opposing Employer's Discriminatory Policies. Fried & Bonder represented a white general manager who was terminated after opposing discriminatory practices in the work place. After the supervisor complained to the owners about behavior creating a hostile working environment for minorities, he was demoted, then fired. The employer denied claims of retaliation arguing that the client was terminated as a result of a downturn in the economy. Fried & Bonder filed suit and settled the case for $130,000.00.
$130,000.00 Pre-Litigation Settlement in Quid-Pro-Quo Sexual Harassment Case. Fried & Bonder’s client, a male, resisted pressure from his female superior to engage in sexual activity. As a result, he saw his previously stellar performance record begin to decline. After a verbal confrontation with this supervisor, our client was terminated. The matter was sensitive for both the client and the employer. Recognizing the volatility of the situation, Fried & Bonder made an immediate demand and quickly invited the defending corporation to engage in settlement discussions. Although the corporation denied liability, Fried & Bonder secured a $130,000.00 settlement for their client before filing suit.
$130,000.00 Settlement of Commissions Dispute. This client worked as a salesperson for a Fortune 100 company. The company constantly manipulated the client’s sales targets in order to deprive him of earned commissions. Fried & Bonder demanded that the company pay the client all earned commissions plus legal penalties for unlawfully altering the compensation structure. Fried & Bonder negotiated a $130,000.00 severance package for the client that compensated him for all unpaid commissions plus multiple months of severance pay.
$125,000.00 Settlement for Female Employee Groped by Boss on Business Trip. This client came to Fried & Bonder within days after being cornered in an elevator and groped by her boss at a business conference. Because there was no history of prior contact between the two, and the client had not reported the incident to anyone, the lawyers at Fried & Bonder counseled their client to make a formal complaint to her Human Resources director. Despite lodging the complaint, within weeks the boss began harassing her again. The client quit and Fried & Bonder stepped in and secured her a lump sum settlement of $125,000.00.
$103,500.00 Settlement for Improperly Classified Employee. Fried & Bonder represented a sales agent living in Georgia against his employer, a manufacturing company in St. Louis, Missouri. Our client was improperly classified as an independent contractor. Fried & Bonder filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, arguing that our client was, in fact, an employee, and that he was denied pay and benefits as the result of the improper classification. The case settled prior to trial for $103,500.00.
$85,000.00 Settlement of Racial Harassment Claim. The client worked as a supervisor at a large manufacturing facility. He was the facility’s only African-American employee. His white co-workers began verbally and physically harassing him the very first day he arrived at work. He contacted Fried & Bonder when the harassment escalated to the point that he began to fear for his safety. The client quit and Fried & Bonder negotiated a pre-litigation settlement of his claim for $85,000.00.
Invalid Restrictive Covenant Stricken. Fried & Bonder represented Steve Molina and Risk & Insurance Consultants Inc. in a lawsuit filed against them by Taylor, Turner & Hartsfield, Inc. in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, case No. 2008-CV-153369. Molina, an insurance agent, left Taylor to form Risk & Insurance Consultants, a full service insurance agency. Taylor Turner sued Molina and RIC alleging Molina violated the terms of a non-solicitation agreement and breached his agreement to pay TTH for his book of business. Fried & Bonder argued from the start that the non-solicitation was unenforceable as a matter of law and vigorously denied that Molina made any agreement whatsoever to pay TTH for his own book of business. Moreover, Fried & Bonder argued that no actual proof of any improper solicitation occurred. Fried & Bonder filed summary judgment on all issues and won - securing a total dismissal of all claims for its client.
Confidential Settlement of Overtime Case. The firm successfully represented multiple plaintiffs in this Fair Labor Standards Act case seeking back pay and penalties for failure to properly pay overtime. The case settled for a confidential amount. The case was Anderson v. DTI, No. 2004CV91029 (Superior Court of Fulton County).
Confidential Settlement of Age and National Origin Discrimination Claims. The firm successfully represented Mrs. McLauren in this national origin and age discrimination case. Mrs. McLauren was forced to resign from her position as the result of her manager's abusive treatment aimed at her national origin, Haitian, and her age. The case settled for a confidential amount. The case was McLauren v. Walgreens, No. 1:03CV2324GET (Federal District Court for the Northern District of Georgia).
Confidential Settlement of Pregnancy Discrimination Case. The firm successfully represented Mrs. White in this pregnancy discrimination case. Mrs. White was terminated following her announcement to her supervisors that she was pregnant. The case settled for a confidential amount. The case was White v. Staffmark, No. 1:04CV1728TWT (Federal District Court for the Northern District of Georgia).
